Non-HI blade edge out of line = ?

Thomas Linton · Mar 23, 2005

I just took delivery of a 9" knife and when I sight down the edge I see a curve to the side. It's about 1/16" out of true. In fact, the entire blade is warped to that extent - not a grinding problem.

I bought this as a rough-use tool. Any opinions or experience as to whether the curve in the edge is a practical problem? Clearly, it does not fill me with warm and fuzzies.

Yvsa · Mar 23, 2005

Thomas Linton said:
I just took delivery of a 9" knife and when I sight down the edge I see a curve to the side. It's about 1/16" out of true. In fact, the entire blade is warped to that extent - not a grinding problem.

I bought this as a rough-use tool. Any opinions or experience as to whether the curve in the edge is a practical problem? Clearly, it does not fill me with warm and fuzzies.

Tom, my daughter in Phoenix has a real villager from HI that I gave her to use that is like that.
I sharpen it up for her every couple of years and have straightened it out a bit but it has never been a problem.
Penny and her helper's use it in her landscaping business and find it indispensable.

Aardvark · Mar 23, 2005

I got a 16" WWII a while ago with that problem. Never had a problem with it.

Can't comment about warped blades in general, and I think there's going to be a big difference in usage between a 9" blade and a hefty chopper like mine.

Josh Feltman · Mar 23, 2005

Functionally, I'd imagine it won't present all that much of a problem, but it sounds like you're not happy with it. Is there any way you can contact the maker or seller?

Tohatchi NM · Mar 23, 2005

Hmmm....warped heat treat?

Probably shouldn't be a problem, provided the materials are sound and everything else is OK. Next step depends on where it came from - if it was a high $ blade, I'd expect the manufacturer to catch something like that and it should go back. That wouldn't necessarily apply for a hand-forge job. If it was inexpensive and you're going to beat on it, I'd just use it. If everything else is sound, it'll probably last for a long while.

munk · Mar 23, 2005

My anger and disapointment would depend upon how much I'd paid for it. You say it's a non HI blade? If it wasn't too expensive and it's headed for rough use anyway, and imperfection does not affect its use, I'd keep it. The shipping charges might not be worth the trouble otherwise.

I bought a kitchen cleaver made in china that was slightly bent. I don't remember how much it was- maybe 35 dollars or less. I sent it back, and the replacement blade was not bent. But the edge was soft. Real soft. I called the owner of the operation and he was very nice about. These were cheap Chinese and would vary. I ended up having them send back the bent blade, which I knew had a good, hard edge.

I like my cleaver. It's experienced. It's seen much of the United States.And it taught me a lesson about using what you have and not fretting as much.

munk

mPisi · Mar 23, 2005

It takes a confident and skilled smith to make specific right- or left-handed knife. Count yourself lucky :footinmou

kronckew · Mar 24, 2005

"On the traditional Melmacian slicing knife, a extremely slight curve is deliberately forged into the blade to assist in seperating the edges of the cut by acting in a wedge-like action, combined with the appropriate draw cut allowing rapid and stealthy creation of cat burgers."

-Quote: gordon shumway

Green Ice · Mar 24, 2005

kronckew said:
"On the traditional Melmacian slicing knife, a extremely slight curve is deliberately forged into the blade to assist in seperating the edges of the cut by acting in a wedge-like action, combined with the appropriate draw cut allowing rapid and stealthy creation of cat burgers."

-Quote: gordon shumway

I'm glad somebody else likes Alf.

Ice

Thomas Linton · Mar 24, 2005

I've been contacted and informed that it's difficult to keep a long blade from warping in heat-treatment -- a problem made more difficult if heat-treatment is done before grinding. That information suggests a question to ask a maker about his knives before buying.

I'm also advised by a maker that such a slight bow will not adversely impact performance however it might disturb.

Yvsa · Mar 24, 2005

Thomas Linton said:
I've been contacted and informed that it's difficult to keep a long blade from warping in heat-treatment -- a problem made more difficult if heat-treatment is done before grinding. That information suggests a question to ask a maker about his knives before buying.

I'm also advised by a maker that such a slight bow will not adversely impact performance however it might disturb.

I'm sure that's true under normal everyday heat-treatment in modern countries with modern methods but not so sure it applies too the kamis and their method of hardening the khukuris since only the edge is hardened.

From my experience more than 99.95% of the HI Khuk's I've bought have an extremely straight edge.

However YMMV.

It's also my experience that a warped edge doesn't cause any undue problems with chopping, would never know it if I hadn't of looked beforehand.